This short review highlights some recent advances in matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPi) design and development. Three distinct approaches to improved MMP inhibition are discussed: (1) the identification and investigation of novel zinc-binding groups (ZBGs), (2) the study of non-zinc-binding MMPi, and (3) mechanism-based MMPi that form covalent adducts with the protein. Each of these strategies is discussed and their respective advantages and remaining challenges are highlighted. The studies discussed here bode well for the development of ever more selective, potent, and well-tolerated MMPi for treating several important disease pathologies.
Doing double duty: A metalloproteinase inhibitor that can be activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been designed to protect the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) in ischemic reperfusion injury. By both neutralizing damaging ROS and inhibiting degradative metalloproteinases, a single compound can eliminate both threats to the BBB upon activation.
A series of self-immolative boronic ester protected methyl salicylates and metal-binding groups with various linking strategies have been investigated for their use in the design of matrix metalloproteinase proinhibitors.
This study details the development of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor prodrugs (proMMPi) that are activated in the presence of reactive-oxygen species (ROS). Conventional matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPi) utilize a zinc-binding group (ZBG) that chelates to the catalytic zinc(II) ion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to inhibit their activity. To create ROS-sensitive prodrugs, sulfonate esters were used as a protecting group for the ZBG to block their metal binding ability. Surprisingly, these sulfonate esters were found to be cleaved by H2O2 only when the ZBG contained an N-oxide donor atom moiety. Sulfonate ester derivatives of full-length MMPi based on these ROS-triggerable systems were synthesized. It was found that proMMPi with sulfonate ester protecting groups showed relatively high rates of cleavage in the presence of H2O2 to release the active MMPi. In vitro MMP inhibition studies confirmed a significant increase in inhibitory activity of proMMPi upon addition of H2O2, demonstrating the use of sulfonate esters to act as cleavable triggers for ROS-activated prodrugs.
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